Womens Health Flashcards
Fibrocystic Breasts
Excessive cellular growth in breast ducts, lobules and connective tissues (Benign breast tumors)
causes of fibrocystic breasts
Responsive to repeated monthly stimulation of the breast tissue by estrogen and progesterone: degree & amount of nodularity is highly individualized
Premenstrual:
ht
-pay attention to monthly changes
-small nodules
-painful
-size change occurs with menstrual cycle
Palpable Nodule:
- Lump
when to call HCP
one or more
round
well delineated
freely moveable
self breast examination(SBE) should note change in size
Lump: if new lump does not change in size with menstrual cycle - Have checked by HCP
Fibrocystic Breasts: Treatment
-Mammogram/Ultrasound- 1st step in diagnosis
-Aspiration of Nodule:
removal of fluid through needle aspiration – pathology to look at cells/fluid
-Biopsy of Nodule:
for women with history of breast cancer
Low Na+ Diet:
decreases swelling and pain in breasts
Decrease Caffeine:
Health teach sources of caffeine
Vitamin E
may be beneficial in relieving swelling in breasts-200 IU bid to tid
Danazol (Danocrine):
synthetic form of testosterone - may be prescribed for severe symptoms-side effects
PMS symptoms:
B Vitamins esp.Vitamin B6; 50 mg. day 1-14 menstrual cycle; 100mg d 15-end; plus diet changes
Chocolate cravings mid cycle:
Magnesium 250 mg q day may control cravings
Wear Supportive bra
reduces swelling
Breast Cancer
malignant growth of breast cells involving a localized area of breast tissue, lymph nodes, and skin
Familial-
first-degree relative had breast, ovarian, or pancreatic
Cancer ( mother, sister, daughter )
Inherited-
mutations in BRCA #1 or BRCA #2 genes (Up to 10 %
women)
Hormone Levels-
what kind of bpdy type produces increased
risk increases for high estrogen levels for much of life; more than 25% body fat- fat makes estrdil
Decreasing Risk Potential
Have children early & breast feed
Maintain weight
Decrease weight if overweight
Type of dietary fat intake
Exercise
Avoid Drinking alcohol
Preventive Meds & Treatment
for High-Risk Women
medications3/ one is procedure
Tamoxifen
Raloxifene (Evista)
Anastrozole (Arimidex) Aromatase inhibitor.
Prophylactic Mastectomy
Tamoxifen (Common brand names: Nolvadex, Soltamox)-
Tx advanced BC w/surg and prophylactic treatment of BC
Estrogen receptor Blockers
Action- estrogen antagonist for receptor sites in tissues; competitive inhibitor for estrogen
Side Effects: hot flashes, rash, N/V/vaginal bleeding, thrombus
Raloxifene (Evista)
Estrogen receptor modulators (Not hormones, effect receptor sites)
Action-estrogen antagonist in breast tissues
Side Effects-venous thromboembolism, hot flashes skin rash, N/V, vaginal bleeding, PE, Stroke
Anastrozole (Arimidex) Aromatase inhibitor.
These are a class of medicines that work by blocking the enzyme aromatase, the enzyme that converts androgens into estrogen.reduces risk of invasive BC in high risk postmenopausal women
Side Effects- Hypertension, Gastrointestinal irritation, Drug-induced hot flash, Skin rash, N/V/D, edema
Prophylactic Mastectomy-
to reduce the risk of BC in those who are at high risk; lowers risk by 90% (Those with BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 among other mutations)
BRCA 1 and BRCA 2
Human genes that produce tumor suppressors
Genes can mutate- some mutations can be harmful
Women with BRCA mutations are at a higher risk for
4
Ovarian, colon, pancreatic and uterine cancer
Men with BRCA mutations are higher at risk for
4
breast, pancreatic, testicular, prostate
Dimpling in breast
(Peau d’orange- not inverted nipple)
Noninvasive breast cancer
Ductal (DICS-in the milk duct) carcinoma in situ (in its original place)
Intraductal cancer: it hasn’t spread to any other place
s/s of breast cancer
Palpation of mass during self breast exam (upper outer quad)
Non tender, non movable mass
Dimpling in breast (Peau d’orange- not inverted nipple)
Nipple discharge (usually benign however should be investigated)
Change in shape of breast (asymmetrical)
Skin ulceration or redness, heat or swelling anywhere on breast
Enlargement of axillary, supraclavicular or cervical lymph nodes
Paget’s Disease of The Breast
s/s:
treatment:
prognosis:
Signs and Symptoms: Itching, burning, bloody discharge with superficial erosion or ulceration. Misdiagnosed frequently as infection or dermatitis with or w/out sentinel node biopsy
Treatment: Simple or Modified radical mastectomy, Radiation after surgery
Prognosis:
Usually good if the cancer is confined to the nipple
Inflammatory
s/s:
Rare, aggressive, fast growing breast cancer. Lymph channels of the of breastbone become blocked by cancer cells
Breast edema, erythema in 1/3 of the breast
Oftentimes it’s misdiagnosed as eczema or dermatitis
Rapid onset: redness, warmth and thickened appearance of skin,
peau d’orange resembling orange peel
Screening
Should be done at the same time during cycle every month
Mammogram: beginning age 40 (ACS)
- Dense breasts; ultrasound
SBE-
Same period every month (middle) of the menstrual cycle. No Cycle? Same time every month (i.e. second Tuesday of the month)
Axillary & supraclavicular lymphadenopathy
-upper outer quadrant
Skin-
sign of cancer
hard, irregular non-movable breast lump upper outer quad., Thickening of breast, Nipple inversion or retraction, redness, warmth
Abnormal mammogram-
The radiologist will look for areas of white, high-density tissue and note its size, shape, and edges.
Thermogram-
On a thermogram image, “hot spots” appear red compared to surrounding tissue that appears yellow, green or blue. Anything that is causing an inflammatory response from the body will show up on a thermogram image as hot.
MRI-
False + used for inflammatory BC; NOT for women at average risk
Biopsy of Breast
Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB)
Sentineal
Stereotactic biopsy
Core needle biopsy (CNB):
Vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB):
Surgical (excisional) biopsy:
Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB): Involves using a thin needle to remove cells or fluid from a lump or mass in the breast. NO CUTTING , fluid from cyst.
Sentineal Node: with dye. to see how far tumor has spread.
Core needle biopsy (CNB): Utilizes a larger needle to remove several small cylinders of tissue from the breast lump or abnormal area.
Vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB): Similar to CNB but uses a vacuum-powered device to collect multiple tissue samples with a single insertion of the needle.
Surgical (excisional) biopsy: Involves the surgical removal of the entire lump or abnormal area along with a margin of surrounding normal tissue for examination.
Diagnosis
Estrogen and progesterone receptor assay of the tissue-hormone receptors on tumor
HER-2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor) Increased risk of reoccurrence of BC and poor prognosis-tend to be aggressive
CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen); blood work-how adequate is tx and /or tumor reoccurrence
CA15-3– useful in monitoring patient response to therapy for metastatic BC
void
void
Radical mastectomy-
Radical mastectomy is a surgical procedure that treats breast cancer by removing the breast and its underlying chest muscle (including pectoralis major and pectoralis minor), and lymph nodes of the axilla (armpit)
Axillary lymph node dissection-
There are three levels of axillary lymph nodes (the nodes in the underarm or “axilla” area. A traditional axillary lymph node dissection usually removes nodes in levels I and II. For women with invasive breast cancer, this procedure accompanies a mastectomy. It may be done at the same time as, or after, a lumpectomy (through a separate incision).
High-Dose Brachytherapy
Radiation delivered directly into the cavity left after tumor removal
Internal radiation delivered using a Mult catheter implant (now balloon brachytherapy)
After placement, radioactive seed delivered into each catheter to tx target area
Traditional radiation takes approximately 5 to 6 wks – internal radiation + 5 days